Cup Carrier

ABSTRACT

The cup carrier has a generally flat appearance. One end of the cup carrier is opposite a second end. A central portion and two sides connect the ends. The one end and second end further incorporate handles. At least one hole for inserting a cup is positioned in the central portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a cup carrier for holding and transportingbeverage cups.

2. Summary of the Prior Art

Carry trays for holding and carrying beverage cups are well-known andare in widespread use in carry out food restaurants, stadiums,convenience stores, coffee shops and the like.

Typically, the trays comprise a main body portion provided with a numberof cup-holding sockets. The number of cup holding sockets can vary,depending on the style of the cup carrier. Moreover, it is known toconfigure the cup-holding sockets so as to firmly accommodate drinkingcups of different sizes. An example of a versatile cup-holding socket isshown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,008 to Vellieux, which structure involvesflexible members in the sockets which deflect as the cup is inserted andexert a stabilizing force on the sides of the cup. Another approach hasbeen to provide sockets of different sizes on the same cup carrier, asshown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,065 to Vigue.

Other cup carriers are formed from unitary blanks of paperboard andconsisting basically of a basket portion with a central upwardlyprojecting handle forming dual compartments for the accommodation of, asan example, two beverage cups. An example of such a carrier is noted inU.S. Pat. No. 5,221,001 issued to Larry Eisman on Jun. 22, 1993.

Such known carriers, because of the rectangular nature of the basketportion and the projecting side panels and handles, require the use of asubstantial amount of material in defining the blank. The formation ofsuch blanks is usually effected by the cutting a plurality of blanks,either sequentially or simultaneously, depending on the cuttingapparatus, from an elongate sheet of appropriate flexible foldablematerial, normally paperboard.

As carriers of the type involved herein are normally single use items,it is particularly desirable to maintain the cost thereof at a minimumwhile providing the convenience and practical considerations for whichthe particular carrier has been designed. Further, as such carriers areproduced in vast numbers, it will be appreciated that even smalleconomies in the production of the blanks from which the cartons arecreated can result in substantial savings. However, in light of theconfiguration of the conventional two-cup carrier, as compared forexample to a conventional rectangular blank for a rectangular box, andas the cup carrier has specific structural and design parameters, it isnormally difficult to provide for a maximum utilization of the blankmaterial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for a cup carrier having a main body portion,cup-holding openings are provided in the main body portion, and handlesextend from the main body for carrying. Preferably two or morecup-holding openings are provided. Preferably, the cup-holding openingshave finger like projections to allow insertion of both larger andsmaller sizes of cups.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a currently-preferred embodiment of thecup carrier of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with cupsinserted in a carrying position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the cupcarrier of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 with a cupinserted in a carrying position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another alternate embodiment of the cupcarrier of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the cup carrier 100 of the invention comprises abody portion, which in the illustrated embodiments, is a unitary,single-dimensional structure. In preferred form, the body portion is aunitary piece from a flexible material. The material may be anysubstance providing flexibility and tear resistance. Examples includebut are not limited to nylon, propylene plastic, PVC, paper,thermoplastic and cloth. Handle 108 may be integral to the body and mayinclude a flange to add stability and facilitate grasping. The bodyportion is defined by ends 120, 122 and sides 124, 126. Ends 120, 122and sides 124, 126 are separated by corners 109. Corners 109 may be anyshape including squared (not shown), rounded and concave (not shown).Where corner 109 is concave ends 120, 122 define handles 108.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cup carrier is provided with cup-holdingopenings 102, 104. As shown cup opening 102 has a smooth approximatelycircular shape. The diameter is such that a cup may enter but not passthrough the opening. Alternately, opening 104 has fingerlike projection106 protruding into opening 104. Fingerlike projections 106 are flexibleand bend as a cup is inserted into opening 104. Fingerlike projections106 permit cups of a variety of sixes to be inserted into opening 104without passing through. While opening 102 is shown without fingerlikeprojections it is understood that both opening 102 and opening 104 maycontain fingerlike projections 106 or both opening 102. Alternately,opening 104 may have smooth contours.

FIG. 1A shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a bent carrying position. Whenbent the unitary body of FIG. 1 has a bottom 111, a side 112 and a top114.corner 110 is formed between bottom 111 and side 112. Side 112 mayconform to any shape as the weight of the cup 116 is countered by a userhauling the cup carrier by handle 108.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the cup carrier 200 of the invention comprisesa body portion, which in the alternate illustrated embodiment, is aunitary, single-dimensional structure. In preferred form, the bodyportion is a unitary piece from a flexible material. The material may beany substance providing flexibility and tear resistance. Examplesinclude but are not limited to nylon, propylene plastic, PVC, paper,thermoplastic and cloth. As shown in FIG. 2 where a more rigid materialis used perforations, or score lines 203 and 205 may be incorporated todefine bend points. Handles 208 may be attached to the body by any meansand may include a flange (not shown) to add stability and facilitategrasping. The body portion is defined by ends 220, 222 and sides 224,226. Ends 220, 222 and sides 224, 226 are separated by corners 209.Corners 209 may be any shape including squared (not shown), rounded andconcave (not shown). Where corner 209 is concave ends 220, 222 definehandles 208.

The cup carrier is provided with cup-holding openings 202 in a centralportion. As shown cup openings 202 may have a smooth approximatelycircular shape. The diameter is such that a cup may enter but not passthrough the opening. Alternately, openings 202 may have fingerlikeprojections (not shown) protruding into openings 202. The fingerlikeprojections would permit cups of a variety of sixes to be inserted intoopenings 202 without passing through. While openings 202 is shownwithout fingerlike projections it is understood that openings 202 maycontain fingerlike projections.

FIG. 2A shows the embodiment of FIG. 2 in a bent carrying position. Whenbent the unitary body of FIG. 2 has a bottom 211, a side 212 and a top214. Corner 210 is formed between bottom 211 and side 212 and is definedby perforations or score lines 203 and 205. Side 212 may conform to anyshape as the weight of the cup 216 is countered by a user hauling thecup carrier by handle 208.

FIG. 3 shows unitary body 300 having handles 308 at either end. Scorelines 303 and 305 are positioned either side of the holes 307 in thecentral portion of the unitary body 300. Holes 307 may comprise at leasttwo rows extending from one side to the other of the unitary body. Aspersons skilled in the art will appreciate, the cup carrier may beformed in common dimensions which are generally known in the industry.When formed as described, the cup carrier has advantages of small size,excellent strength and stability, low cube size, and easy de-nesting.Further modifications and variations of the illustrated embodiments willbe apparent to those skilled in the art.

1. A cup carrier the cup carrier comprising a generally flat sheethaving one end opposite a second end, a central portion and two sidesconnecting the ends; the one end and second end further comprising ahandle; at least one hole for inserting a cup positioned in the centralportion.
 2. The cup carrier of claim 1, wherein the cup is suspended inthe at least one hole during use.
 3. The cup carrier of claim 1, whereinthe at least one hole is a pair of holes.
 4. The cup carrier of claim 1,wherein the central portion further comprises at least one score linedefining a bending point.
 5. The cup carrier of claim 4, wherein the atleast one score line comprises a pair of score lines positioned eitherside of the at least one hole in the central portion.
 6. The cup carrierof claim 1, wherein the at least one hole comprises multiple rows ofholes.